The mother of children with special needs spoke to city officials June 20 during a public hearing at the beginning of the City Council meeting.

"Both of my boys have sensory input needs, communication needs, mobility needs and safety needs. Each time we look for a park to visit, usually outside of the Pea Ridge city limits, it is my job to search for a park that supports their needs and makes my time there as easy and as enjoyable as possible."My current desire for the Pea Ridge City Park is for a sensory playground on a soft foundation that is on a flat surface, swings for special needs individuals who don’t or aren’t able to use traditional swings, a communication board for individuals who need accessible forms of communication in order to communicate their needs and wants while at the park.

" She said when she visits parks in other cities, she purchases snacks there and that would bring more revenue into the city if the park was upgraded.

Quijada-Perez expressed concern about a gate at the back of the park as well as concerns about the hills saying special needs children do not “always catch themselves” when they fall.

The city is applying for a $250,000 grant to purchase the all-inclusive playground on the city property on North Curtis Avenue just west of the post office.

This summary was generated by Smmry